SpaceX attributes Starship self-destruction to propellant leaks and fires

Hawthorne, CA, February 24, 2025 – SpaceX announced Monday that last month’s catastrophic Starship explosion was the result of a cascading series of events triggered by propellant leaks.

The company stated that the issue, which led to sustained fires and a loss of communication with the vehicle, has been addressed ahead of an anticipated eighth test flight that could launch as early as Friday.

According to SpaceX, the mishap occurred during a January test flight intended to evaluate upgrades on both the Super Heavy booster and Starship. While the flight initially proceeded smoothly - with the booster separating and being successfully caught by the launch-and-catch tower in Texas - problems began approximately two minutes after Starship ignited its rocket engines to achieve orbit.

A flash was observed in the aft section near one of the Raptor vacuum engines, and onboard sensors detected a pressure increase indicative of a propellant leak. Shortly thereafter, another flash occurred, and sustained fires broke out in that section. The resulting fires forced all but one of Starship’s engines to shut down in a controlled sequence, eventually triggering the automatic in-flight abort system. This system, activated due to the fires and the subsequent communications blackout, led to the self-destruction of the vehicle.

The explosion produced a dramatic visual display over the Turks and Caicos islands, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to divert several flights as a precaution. SpaceX reported that all debris fell within the pre-planned Debris Response Area, although local residents captured images of debris on nearby beaches, and at least one vehicle sustained minor damage.

In response to the incident, SpaceX has implemented several modifications. The company has revised the fuel line configurations, adjusted the temperature settings of the propellant, added extra vents, and installed a new purge system to reinforce the affected aft section against future propellant leakage.

SpaceX is currently awaiting either the official closure of the FAA’s “mishap investigation” or special authorization to proceed with the upcoming test flight while the inquiry continues. This marks the first time the company has been subject to such an investigation while CEO Elon Musk and his team, including members of his Department of Government Efficiency, are actively engaging with U.S. government agencies.

The company did not immediately comment further when reached for additional details.

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